Thought it was just for maintaining a healthy smile? Guess again. We all use toothpaste, but it has some amazing properties that make it great for a lot more than just whitening teeth.
It has a ton of uses. As compiled by news.com.au, consumerist.com, and Reader’s Digest, employ these clever ways to repurpose your bathroom staple.
Silver polisher
Whether its forks and spoons, candlestick holders, your grandma’s vintage silver or contemporary ornaments, silver can be revived by polishing it with toothpaste on a soft cloth. For crevices, use a soft toothbrush and then wipe the whole thing down with a dry cloth.
Sink shiner
We have all dropped globs of toothpaste into our sinks at some point. But instead of letting it dry into a ball, use a soft cloth and rub the toothpaste around your sink to keep it shining. Once you rinse it, any odours from the drain will also be removed.
Mobile screen fixer
Devices without a protective screen can become scratched over time. Toothpaste can clean screens on mobile devices such as cell phones and handheld gaming consoles. Lightly rub the screen with toothpaste on a cotton cloth. Then wipe the screen clean with a second cloth.
Remove scuffs from shoes
Got old leather shoes you love but are too scuffed up to don? A little toothpaste does a remarkable job of removing scuffs from leather shoes or jackets. Just squirt a dab on the scuffed area and rub with a soft cloth. Wipe clean with a damp cloth. The leather will look like new.
Clean your piano keys
Has tuning repeatedly on the ivories left them a bit dingy? Clean them up with toothpaste and a toothbrush, and then wipe them down with a damp cloth. Makes sense, since ivory is essentially elephant teeth. However, toothpaste will work just as well on modern pianos that usually have keys covered with plastic as it will on real ivory.
Iron cleaner
When your iron’s soleplate looks gunky and rusted due to mineral buildup, you can effortlessly clean it with a damp cloth and toothpaste. The mild abrasive in non-gel toothpaste is just the ticket for scrubbing the gunk off. Make sure the iron is cool and unplugged and wipe the toothpaste cloth first, then wipe it with a second cloth.
Hand freshener
Soap doesn’t work that well when you have to remove the heavy smell of fish, onions, garlic or other stinky foods from your skin. Toothpaste works far better for removing odours and can be used just like soap. Apply a dab to your hands and rub it like you would soap. Apply lotion or moisturiser afterwards.
Deodorise baby bottles
Baby bottles inevitably pick up an icky sour-milk smell that doesn’t go away easily with regular dishwashing liquid. Toothpaste will remove the odour in a jiffy. Just put some on your bottle brush and scrub away. Be sure to rinse thoroughly.
Prevent bathroom mirrors from fogging
Ouch! You cut yourself shaving and it’s no wonder since you can’t see your face clearly in that fogged-up bathroom mirror. Next time, coat the mirror with non-gel toothpaste and wipe it off before you get in the hot shower. When you get out, the mirror won’t be fogged.
Remove crayon from walls
Did crayon-toting kids get creative on your wall? Roll up your sleeves and grab a tube of non-gel toothpaste and a scrub brush. A rag will do too. Squirt the toothpaste on the wall and start scrubbing. The fine abrasive in the toothpaste will rub away the crayon every time. Rinse the wall with water afterward.
Compiled By: Umnia Shahid
Published in The Express Tribune, January 3rd, 2015.
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